Conversations with the Inspiring Jill Felska

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jill Felska.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Jill. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I’ve been in the startup space, either as a founder or team member for the last 10 years.

My entrepreneurial career began way earlier than I ever thought it would when I was just 23-years old. I had graduated with a degree in journalism from the University of Wisconsin and moved to Chicago where I landed a job during the recession. I was on cloud nine, as the role was a dream job at (what I believed to be) a dream organization. Sadly, my bubble quickly burst between the immense stress, 12-hour workdays and a boss who was sexually harassing me. I’d been so incredibly excited to start my career and was devastated to think this was what I’d been waiting for.

I stuck it out for a while, but ultimately the harassment grew too unbearable and I did what every woman in my position does… quit my job with exactly $97 to my name. Yup, I jumped right off the cliff, hoping desperately that I would build my parachute on the way down. Somehow, I even convinced a co-worker to quit with me and pursue the crazy dream of starting a business together.

I’m happy to report we did construct parachutes on the way down, learning dozens of lessons along the way. Those lessons led to us starting a second company and then a chain of other roles in a variety of startups over the years.

Through it all, I refused to believe that all jobs were like my first – and have spent years learning about and studying what actually makes a company a great place to work. Ultimately, it’s what drove me to launch my third business, Want To Work There. We help startups and small businesses become great places to work, building on their founding team’s values and vision.

I get to spend every day improving people’s jobs – and I couldn’t feel luckier!

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
When you’re taking risks, I don’t think the road is ever smooth – but that’s part of the journey! I’ve learned so many lessons throughout the years, but one in particular always sticks out.

When I took that first job out of college, I was thrilled to even be getting an offer. I had interned with twenty other people that summer and was one of three that got offered a full-time position. I was so excited, but felt guilty all at the same time, having become close friends with those other interns. This guilt, paired with my general lack of business knowledge, kept me from doing any negotiating when I got my offer – even though I had a second offer from a different company! I just signed the paper, no questions asked – excited to have a desk.

Fast forward six months and I was dating a co-worker (which is a lesson for another day… probably over drinks) who shared what he was making one night. I don’t know how it came up, but I was floored to hear he was making $10,000 more than me to do the exact same job. When I asked him why he was at that salary, I’ll never forget him simply saying, “I asked.”

Always ask. Even if you’re an entry-level worker, you have value – so much value – to provide your employer. You may not get it, but you need to ask. Every time you do, it becomes a bit easier and I promise that negotiating is a skill that will serve you for the rest of your life. It certainly has served me well over the years.

Yes, it’s scary. But thirty seconds of bravery could be worth $10,000 – or more! Trust me, it’s worth it.

What should we know about Want to Work There? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Inspired by my first job out of college, I’ve been on a mission ever since to understand what really makes a company a great place to work. Without even realizing it, we all hold very deep-seated beliefs about what work should look like – ideas that date back all the way to industrial revolution. What’s exciting is that we’re beginning to question those beliefs as a society and think about new ways to engage, communicate, and get work done.

My business, Want To Work There, helps companies pause and really think about the way they work and the company culture they’re building. Over three days, I support their team through education, facilitated discussion, and strategy, with the goal of solidifying an actionable plan to really improve their work environment. There is nothing more exciting to me than leaving a company’s employees more energized and engaged than when I arrived. There is something contagious about shared vision and direction that can catalyze positive change quickly.

Looking back on your childhood, what experiences do you feel played an important role in shaping the person you grew up to be?
Both of my parents followed career paths that brought them joy and purpose, but not tons of money. I watched them serve others graciously and without hidden agendas. While I come at things from a more business savvy perspective than they did, it was my parent’s dedication to doing work that matters – work that lit them up – that made it OK for me to pursue my own passions with abandon. I am forever grateful to them for that.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.wanttoworkthere.com/
• Email: jill@wanttoworkthere.com

Image Credit:
Grant Legan Photography, Debra Alison Photography, Meg Marie Photography

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